Awards looking for ‘ordinary’ people doing extraordinary things

The British Citizen Award

People across Greater Manchester are being urged to honour ‘ordinary’ friends and neighbours who do extraordinary things by nominating them for a national award.

The British Citizen Award (BCA) recognises exceptional individuals who work tirelessly and selflessly to make a positive impact upon society.

Successfully launched in January last year, almost 130 people have been honoured so far at four ceremonies at the Palace of Westminster.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the next round of medal presentations, which will take place in January 2017, again at the Palace of Westminster. All BCA recipients receive a Medal of Honour, inscribed with the words ‘For the Good of the Country’. Medalists are also invited to use the initials BCA after their name.

The British Citizen Awards were launched to honour the incredible accomplishments of individuals in society who positively impact their communities. In a similar way to the Queen’s Honours, BCAs are awarded twice annually, but unlike the traditional honours, which are often given to celebrities and high-profile figures, BCAs are given to ‘every day’ people whose achievements may otherwise be overlooked.

Mike Faulkner, co-founder of the awards, said: “The BCA has really captured the imagination of the public, who are nominating people who are having a massive impact on their communities and we are delighted as the programme continues to grow. It’s been incredible to award remarkable human beings across the country and we look forward to honouring more exceptional people within our communities during this next round of awards.”

Nominations from all corners of the UK, all cultural backgrounds and from all sectors of the community are being welcomed until the closing deadline on 31 October 2016.

Mike added: “There are thousands of people across the UK making life better for others, who formally receive no recognition. The programme has been created to enable individuals across the country to nominate someone who they feel deserves recognition. We have nothing but respect for the Honours system, but believed that a more accessible recognition programme was overdue.”

The awards have attracted support from several high-profile ambassadors, including Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, actress and former EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella, former high-court judge, Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, and TV presenter Bradley Walsh.

Sarah, Duchess of York said: “The greatest kindness you can afford to give someone is to listen and it is with great pleasure that I have found the British Citizen Awards. This organisation listens to the citizens of this great country and not only hears the stories but rewards monumental efforts that would have otherwise gone relatively unnoticed.”

The awards are in partnership with customer experience management company, InMoment, and are supported by the world’s largest optical retailer, Specsavers; one of the largest property and leisure management, development and regeneration companies in the UK, Places for People; leading ethical law firm Irwin Mitchell; the UK and Europe’s leading palletised freight distribution company, Pall-Ex, owned by BCAs Patron Hilary Devey; and specialist marketing, PR and communications agency, Lime Marketing – who will each have representatives at the awards ceremony.

Lonnie Mayne, president for InMoment, said: “We are so honoured to continue supporting the British Citizen Award, and it is always a delight to present medallists with their awards for the fantastic work they do within the community. Whether on an individual level, or at the organisational level where my colleagues and I concentrate our efforts, recognising that humanity is core to all we do is critical. The true key to success across all types of relationships is a foundation of strong empathy and willingness to take the right actions. Many thanks to the award organisers for including us in reinforcing this message in such a powerful way.”

Nominations are free and people can be entered into one of eight different categories. All nominations will be scrutinised by an independent committee, with their choices passed on to an assessment panel for final ratification. Up to thirty nominees will then be shortlisted to receive an award.

To nominate, email nominations@britishcitizenawards.co.uk to request a nomination form, or visit www.britishcitizenawards.co.uk to find out more. Nominations close on 31 October 2016.